Patrick Burke, Joe to his friends, wrote the book An Illiterate Genius using speech recognition software and help from his partner Alison.

The Dublin-born author, who lives in Northumberland Close, Kettering, wanted to write the book to dispel some of the misconceptions about people with dyslexia.

He said: "I hope this book will encourage other dyslexic people to follow their dream – everything is possible if you really want it.

"My story is about the struggles I faced. The beatings in and out of school, two broken marriages and a nervous breakdown. I survived these problems and much more but I also learned many skills."

Mr Burke, 65, was born into a family of 12.

His dyslexia was a fact he continued to hide until the age of 50, stacking up a CV including a chemist messenger, pork pie factory worker, van driver, bus driver, lorry driver, bricklayer, plasterer, plumber, exhibition set builder, painter and decorator, electrician, carpenter/joiner, and his current love, driving instructor.

He helped dozens of youngsters get behind the wheel aiming to show young people dyslexia should not be a barrier in life.

He said: "I have just retired and thought it would be a challenge to write my memoirs and show what you can do with dyslexia.

An Illiterate Genius is published by Author House and is available from their website at www.authorhouse.co.uk.